The cryptocurrency market is witnessing divergent trends in exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows as investors position themselves ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell‘s anticipated speech at Jackson Hole.
What Happened: Bitcoin spot ETFs are riding a wave of positive sentiment, marking their sixth consecutive day of net inflows, while Ethereum-based products face persistent outflows, according to data from SoSo Value.
Bitcoin BTC/USD spot ETFs on Aug. 22 recorded a total net inflow of $64.9072 million, continuing a streak of positive investor interest.
This influx brings the total net asset value of Bitcoin spot ETFs to an impressive $55.131 billion.
In stark contrast, Ethereum ETH/USD spot ETFs experienced a net outflow of $874,600 on the same day, extending their streak of withdrawals to six days.
Despite these outflows, Ethereum spot ETFs still maintain a substantial total net asset value of $7.265 billion.
These contrasting fund flows are occurring against a backdrop of relatively stable cryptocurrency prices, with Bitcoin trading at $60,810 (down 0.6%) and Ethereum at $2,655 (up 0.8%).
The divergence in ETF performances suggests a shift in investor strategy or sentiment between the two leading cryptocurrencies.
BlackRock‘s IBIT emerged as the standout performer among Bitcoin ETFs, attracting $75.4907 million in new investments.
Fidelity‘s FBTC also saw positive movement with an inflow of $9.2252 million.
Also Read: Donald Trump Launches Crypto Platform ‘The DeFiant Ones’ To Challenge Traditional Banking Systems
However, Grayscale‘s GBTC bucked the trend with an outflow of $28.362 million, indicating that not all Bitcoin products are benefiting equally from the overall positive sentiment.
On the Ethereum front, Grayscale‘s ETHE led the outflows with $19.8427 million exiting the fund, data shows.
This was partially offset by inflows into Grayscale‘s mini ETH ($3.6837 million) and Fidelity‘s FETH ($14.3303 million), but not enough to prevent an overall negative flow for Ethereum-based products.
The steady inflows into Bitcoin ETFs, despite relatively flat price action, could indicate accumulation by institutional investors or a growing preference for regulated crypto investment vehicles.
Why It Matters: Speaking with Benzinga, Shibtoshi, CEO of SquidGrow and Silentswap said the Fed Chair’s upcoming speech is highly anticipated, especially with a 25 bps rate cut already priced in by the markets.
“For the crypto market, any surprises in this announcement could have significant implications. If the Fed signals a more aggressive rate cut or a dovish outlook, it could fuel a strong bullish momentum in crypto, as investors seek higher returns in alternative assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum,” he said.
“On the flip side, a less accommodating stance or a hint of future tightening could trigger volatility, potentially leading to a short term dip as investors reassess risk. However, this volatility often presents opportunities in the crypto market, where rapid changes can lead to significant gains for those who are prepared. Ultimately, the Fed’s decisions this week could either reinforce the growing interest in crypto or challenge it, depending on how the market interprets the broader economic outlook,” he added.
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© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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